NEET UG 2026 cancelled; 22.79 lakh students left in uncertainty

NEW DELHI: Amid suspicions of a nationwide question paper leak, the NEET UG 2026 examination has been cancelled, leaving nearly 22.79 lakh students across India in uncertainty. More than 1.25 lakh students from Kerala had appeared for the exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has not yet announced the date for the re-examination, further increasing anxiety among students and parents.

The NTA said details regarding the fresh exam date and the release of new admit cards would be announced within 10 days. The decision to cancel the medical entrance examination was taken based on information shared by central investigating agencies. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has now taken over the probe into the alleged paper leak.

Nationwide protests were reported on Tuesday following the cancellation. The National Testing Agency stated that it would fully cooperate with the investigation. The NEET UG examination had originally been conducted on May 3.

In 2024 too, the examination was cancelled and reconducted following allegations of irregularities. At that time, the Supreme Court of India had strongly criticised the loss of credibility and integrity in the examination process. However, considering the future of more than 24 lakh students, the court had not ordered a re-examination and instead directed authorities to strengthen the system against leaks and malpractice.

Despite those warnings, the NTA and the Union Education Ministry are now facing criticism for failing to prevent another paper leak scandal. This time, the exam was cancelled even before the matter reached the Supreme Court.

‘Guess paper’ and Kerala connection
Investigators first suspected that one set of question papers from a printing press in Nashik had been illegally duplicated and circulated widely. In addition, Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group recovered a handwritten “guess paper” containing probable questions for the exam.

Officials were shocked to find that 150 questions in the NEET UG exam matched the handwritten paper exactly. A medical student from Churu in Rajasthan, currently studying at a medical college in Kerala, is reportedly in police custody in connection with the case. Investigators suspect that the student sent the handwritten question paper to an associate in Sikar, Rajasthan, on May 1.

More than 50 people in custody

1. More than 50 people, including alleged mastermind Manish Yadav, coaching centre owners and career consultants, have been taken into custody.
2. The leaked question papers were reportedly sold for amounts ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 5 lakh. The CBI is investigating the financial trail behind the racket.
3. Investigators suspect a large cheating network operating across Maharashtra, Haryana, Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

Scale of the alleged leak
Total marks: 720
Total questions: 180
Marks per question: 4
Questions reportedly leaked in the “guess paper”: 150
Possible marks from leaked questions: 600

Leak suspected in Pathanamthitta and Kozhikode
Fresh indications suggest that the NEET UG question paper may also have been leaked in Pathanamthitta and Kozhikode. Rajasthan Police has reportedly shared related information with Kerala Police. One person was taken into custody and questioned in Pathanamthitta, though no concrete evidence has been found yet.

There are also reports that a medical student in Kozhikode leaked the question paper four days before the examination. The student is said to be a native of Rajasthan. Investigators believe several people may have purchased the leaked paper.

The Rajasthan Police is expected to arrive in Kerala soon for a detailed investigation. The CBI, which has registered a case in connection with the paper leak, is also likely to expand its investigation to Kerala. The Kochi unit of the CBI has already begun collecting preliminary information.

"Rajasthan Police is in constant touch with us. They identified the Kerala links. We will provide all possible assistance for the investigation."
-Ravada Chandrasekhar
Kerala Police chief